ENGLISH NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 70, 8 May 1852, Page 2

ENGLISH NEWS.

We have received by the "William Prowse," via Sydney, English news to the 29th Dec. The Paris Correspondent of the Times states that a note has been addressed by the British Government to Louis Napoleon " decided and energetic," though " carefully avoiding all irritating expression," requiring explanations as to whether it was contemplated to abandon the liberal and constitutional policy which had previously formed the bond of alliance between the two countries. In this note it has been stated that a suspension, or cessation of representative institutions, freedom of speech, and the liberty of the press would necessarily imply a departure from the original and avowed"liberalism of the French Government, and would so far deprive it of English sympathies, &c. The answer of the President was equivocating, and not at all satisfactory to the English Government.

The Duke of Newcastle (late Lord Lincoln) has honestly informed his tenantry that a return to Protection is impossible, even should there be a Protectionist Government. In his speech he comments most freely upon the conduct o£ the President of France in his late coup d'etat, which is significant as showing the opinions of the Peelite party. There has appeared a very characteristic and amusing correspondence between Sir Charles Napier and Lord John Russell, respecting the claims of the former to the command of the Mediterranean fleet, in which Lord J. Russell at length is compelled to say, " I am sorry that notwithstanding your many brilliant exploits, I could not place in you that implicit confidence which is required." Lord John Russell has declined to receive the deputation from the Manchester Conference of Reformers, on the ground that " there would be great inconvenience in receiving deputations from particular districts on a subieet of this nature, in which the whole country is interested." A serious struggle between the " Trades Union" and the master manufacturers in all the manufacturing districts is commencing, which will, in all probability, lead to the suspension of labour generally in those districts. The English press is, for the most part, condemnatory of the " Trades Unions," which are stated to aim at establishing a complete despotism over both the master and the workmen, which cannot much longer be tolerated. The Times says—" The last day of the year is to be signalised, we are told, by an act of folly more serious than any which has been recorded during its course. The operatives connected with certain trades in Lancashire have resolved upon measures, which in themselves and their consequences, will throw out of work more than 30,000 hands." Lord Granville, the new Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, took possession of his office in Dowuing-street on Saturday. Several of the Foreign Ministers, including" his Excellency the French Ambassador, attended during the day at the Foreign Office. The whole ol" the corps diplomatique (ambassadors, ministers and charge d'affaires,) will pay their respects and congratulations to the noble Earl on his accession to his present office in the course of next week. The Spectator and Examiner deem the retirement of Lord Pahnerston and the accession of Lord Granville a fortunate circumstance, and a guarantee for the liberal tenor of the foreign policy of Britain. °